A Periodontal Abscess is a Dental Emergency

Posted on 3/17/2016 by Todd Jorgenson

A periodontal abscess is one of the most painful dental conditions, so if you have one, you will likely know it right away. These conditions often develop quite quickly, and when they pop up, they will necessitate a dental emergency visit.

A gum abscess will likely cause intense pain due to pressure building up inside of in, and not only will immediate treatment be needed to relieve the pain, but it will also work to prevent the infection from spreading.

Causes of a Periodontal Abscess

So what caused that periodontal abscess that occurred so quickly? Most often, food particles and foreign materials that get trapped in the spaces between the gums and teeth result in abscesses of the gums. If not removed, the bacteria found here could cause inflammation and infection. In other cases, uncontrolled gum disease could result in the abscess.

Treating and Preventing Dental Abscesses

If you think that you have an abscess, you should be sure to get in to see your dentist right away. Immediate evaluation and treatment will be needed, and in most cases, the abscess will need to be drained to remove the pus and control the infection.

Most dental abscesses will be treated with antibiotics in order to eliminate the infection, but in the most severe cases, additional procedures like a root canal, gum surgery, or tooth extraction might be needed.

Ignoring an abscess isn't an option. If you experience the symptoms of an abscess, including sharp or throbbing pain in your jaw, swelling, and pus, don't expect that the symptoms will go away on their own with time. Failure to get treatment will only allow the infection to spread.

You should also remember that in the future, your best line of defense when it comes to preventing periodontal abscesses is good oral hygiene, including removing food debris and plaque regularly.